Double hung door mounting and latching means



Nov. 4, 1941. v ow 2,261,147

DOUBLE HUNG DOOR MOUNTING AND LATCHING MEANS Filed May 1, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 55 I T'A'FH 9 W I19 l a "53 1 E 1'1 H, \1 i 570 52 4 i {5 v INVENTOR: q 36 P051597 00W, 34 BY r /gl ATTORN EY- R. DOW

DOUBLE HUNG DOOR MOUNTING AND LATCHING MEANS Nov. 4, 1941.

Filed May 1, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet? INVELNTOR: E054??? flow ATTON EY Nov. 4, 1941. R. DOW

DOUBLE HUNG DOOR MOUNTING AND LATCHING MEANS Filed May 1, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORN EY- Nov. 4, 1941.

R. DOW

DOUBLE HUNG DOOR MOUNTING AND LATCHING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1 1939 INVENTOR: P055427 0014 ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 4, .1941

DOUBLE HUNG noon MoUN'rI'NoaNn I p 'LATCHING MEANS Y meanow singaa, oami I ApplioationMay 1, 1939, Serial No. 271,032 14C1ainis. (c1. 16-'1 47)..

This application is a continuation-in-partfof my copending application for Double hung door mounting and latching means, Serial No. 232,787,

filed October 1, 1938.

My invention relates to means for securing a Y door relative to an opening so that itmay be selectively swung into open position from'either side, and relates in particular to a novel (115C011? nectible hinge structure which contributes to the desired effect of supporting the door sothat it.-

may be opened from either side. I M

It is'an object of the invention .to provide means for mounting a door, or other member to be swingably supported, so that the. same may, be latched in closed position by hinge elements disposed at opposite sides, these hingeelements being selectively disconnectible by release of the associated latch means so that the door may be swung into open position either to the right or to the left. Although the invention may be employed for'various types of swingablysupported members and, for example, closures associated with various types of openings, the'presentprincipal use conceived for the" same is in conjunction with refrigerator doors. Standard practice is to provide refrigerators and cabinets with doors which swing open toward the right, and many instances are encountered .where thisis not suitable. My invention has the advantageof providing a refrigerator which may be placed in any desired position without regard to hinging the door, for the reason that the door is universally hinged so that it may be swung to'open position from either side; Likewise, there are'many instances in the use of 'the'door whe're it will not be necessary to open the samejto the full extent to gain access to'a" selected side; For example, if an article is to be removed from the right side of the refrigerator, the "door maybe swung into partly opened position on the left'hirig'e struc tu're, and if access to the leftward portion of the refrigerator is desired the door may beswung open on the right hinge structure, with the same ease and facility as found in the operation of refrigerator doors hinging'in the ordinary manner.

It is an object of the invention to'provlde a door mounting and latching means of the above character which will Supportthe'dQor so that it will not sag when swung open on either right or;

left hinge structure, which issturdyand dependable, which is positive in operation andlatching function, which maybe readily released from either side by simple pressure against a selected latch controlelement, and which does not detract from the appearance of the door or refri .eratorto which it is applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a disconnectible hinge srmcmreembodyingv a pairof hinge elementswhich may .be-moved into cooperating position on a hinge axis and which ,havethrust and radial bearing means engageable at this time to support theloadof the supported door.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a di connectible hinge structure having, hinge elements which are brought into cooperating position on a hinge axis when the door is swun from open-gto closed position, these hinge ele- 'm'e'nts "being relatively movable when ini'coopfer'atin'gposition into engagement so'that a'r'ef cess formed in one .of themwill receive .a projection formed in the other, thereby producing a pin andsocket interengagement,v on which the door may be swung from closed to open position, together with releasable'la'tch means for holding the hinge elements in interengagement and also means separate'from the latch for holding the "hinge elements in 'interengagement whenpthe opposite side of the door is swung outward from closed position relative tolthe door frame- A further objectof the invention is to adisconnectiblej hinge having cooperating hinge elements formed so as to interengage in the manvide 'a disconnectible hingeof the character set' nerof a pin and socket with meansfor, automatically swinging thesehinge elements intoiengagement as the door is swung into-closed position.. p

' It is a further object to provideadisconnectible' hinge of the character set forth inthepreceding paragraph wherein the hingefelements are engaged in response to closing of. the, door and wherein theiweight'of thedooris supported entirely 'onthese hingelelements so that the door .willbe supported with utf's g's A. further object of the invention, is. to pro- !orth inthe preceding paragraphs wherein one ofthe hinge elements is carried by a support in spaced relation to an abutment so that the cooperating hinge element; as' it moves into the space adjacent the abutmenhgwill be'jforcibly lifted into-engagement with the abutment,'thereby positively positioningthe supp'orteddoor in both opened'and closed positions.

Further objects and advantages or my nvention' will be pointed out: in the course of the following detailed description, of those forms of my inv'entlonwhi'ch I have chosen for the purpose or illustrating the principles thereof.

provide Referring to the accompanying drawings in which my invention is illustrated:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a refrigerator having a door equipped with a double hung hinge structure in accordance with my invention, the door being shown partly open.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary partly sectioned view of the upper right hand hinge structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken as indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 with the cooperating parts occupying the positions which they assume as the hinge elements are brought into initial engagement.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to Fig. 4 showing the hinge elements fully engaged.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentarysection on a plane represented by the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing the hinge elements in engagement, with the supported door in closed position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 66 of Fig. 5, but showing the positions of the hinge elements when the door is swung thereon into an opened position.

Fig. 8 is a partly sectional view showing the manner in which a handle may be applied to a door to selectively operate the latch means of the disconnectible hinges.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary partly sectioned view, drawn to enlarged scale, and showing the latch operating bar of Fig. 8 in elevation.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of a door and door frame showing an alternative form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line |2|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line |3-|3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line |4 '-|4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the sliding plate employed to connect the operating lever with the hinge means.

In Fig. l of the drawings I show a refrigerator having a door 2|, equipped with left and right disconnectible hinges 22 individually identified as 22a and 22b, either of which will serve as a pivot on which the door 2| may be swung between opened and closed positions. In Fig. l the door 2| is shown supported in partly open position by the right hinge 22b. It will be understood from the followingdescription that the right hand portion of the door 2| may be swung outward on the hinge 22a.

Th invention employs, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, cooperating hinge elements 23 and 24, which may be respectively mounted on two relatively movable members which are to be swung on an axis or which are to be moved together and apart. In the preferred practice of the invention the hinge elements 23 are secured to the edges of the door 2| and the hinge elements 24 are connected by suitable supports. with the door frame 25, provided by the refrigerator 20. When relative movement brings these hinge elements 23 and 24 into cooperating position on the hinge axis A--A, as shown in Fig. 5, the hinge elements move relatively toward each other in the direction of the axis A-A, and these hinge elements are so formed that a portion of one will project into a portion of the other so as to provide an interengagement of the character of a pin and socket. The recess or socket of such pin and socket arrangement may be in either of the hinge elements, and the projection may be in the other. Likewise, the pin and socket may be of different forms, for example, spherical, conical, or frustoconical.

In the preferred practice, the hinge element 23 is provided with a recess 26 in the lower face thereof, and the hinge element 24 is provided with a semi-spherical projection on the upper portion thereof. The recess 26 has a semi-spherical portion 23 to receive the projection 21 and leading rearward, or rightward, as in Figs. 4 and 5, the recess 26 has an approaching or sloping channel 29 to provide clearance for the projection 21 as it moves in and out of the recess 26. For example, the projection 21 starts to move into the semi-spherical portion 26 of the recess 26 when the element 23 is in a position such as shown in Fig. 4, and makes complete engagement with the recess 28 when the element23 reaches the cooperating position on the axis A-A, as shown in Fig. 5. 1

'In the practice of the invention two sets of cooperating hinge elements 23 and 24 are used at each side of the door. The hinge elements 23 are formed by flat bodies or blocks supported so as to project laterally from the edges of the door 2|. As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, these hinge elements 23 may be secured as by welds I! to short metal angles 30, which are secured within the metal cover 3| of the door by means of screws 32 which pass into the wood frame 33 of the door 2| Each side of the door frame 26 may carry a hinge bar 34 disposed in right hand and left hand relation and providing upper and lower openings 35 to receive the hinge elements 23. Each'bar 34 may betof sectional type, with an intermediate section 36 disposed between the upper and lower end blocks 31, individually identifled as 316 and131b, the length of the intermediate section 36 being variable in accordance with the difference in heights of the doors to which the hinge may be applied, or, in other words, in accordance with the vertical spacing of the hinge elements 23. It will be noted that the recesses 35 are formed in the end blocks 31 and that each recess 35 has an upper horizontal wall referred to as an abutment 38 which is spaced above the position of a .cooperating hinge element 24. Also, each block 31 has an internal chamber 39 leading downward from its recess 36, in the upper portion of which chamber a hinge element 24 is rockably supported by a transverse pin 40 which is offset from the hinge axis A-A rearwardly or toward the door frame 25.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, each hinge element 24 has a body portion 4| which carries the projection 21, this body portion having a curved front edge wall leading downwardly and rearwardly from a positidn ahead of the projection 21 to a shoulder-43 disposedsubstantially on an axis which passes through the point of pivot defined by the pin 40. The body portion 4| extends rearward so as to provide an upper face 44 lying inward or to the right of the projection 21 and also projecting inward or rightward beyond the position of the pivot or pin 40 to suchan extent that the inner end 45 of the upper face 44 will swing downward as the projection21 swings upward from retracted position, as shown. in Fig. 4,

to fully. engaged position, as shown in Fig. 5. The upper face 44 preferably has a cylindrical depression 45 between the projection 21 and the inner' end 45 .to be engaged by the lower rear wardcorner 41 of the hinge element 23, as shown in Fig. 4, so that as the element 23 moves rearward from its position of Fig. 4 toward its position of Fig.5, the hinge element 24 will be rotated on the pin 40 so as to cause the projection 21 to enter the recess 26. -As the element 23 reaches the'positionin which it is shown in Fig. 5, the upper face oi. the

. projection 21 will bear against the wall of the semispherical portion 28 of the recess 26 so as to,

exert a lifting action on the element 23,'and at the same time the reaction of the corner 41 against the corner 48 along the inner edge of the cylindrical depression will exert a lifting force on the element 23, these two lifting efiects carrying the element 23 into tight engagement with the abutment 38, and at this time the element 23 will be supported by two points of engagement with the element 24, namely, the top of the projection 21 and the corner or shoulder 48. Also,

at this time a shoulder 49 or a latch 50 will move into overlapping or latching position relative to the shoulder 43 of the element 24, as shown in Fi 5..

When the element 24 1s inthe position shown.

in Fig. 5, the element 23 is wholly supported by the element 24. In the form of my invention illustratedthere are upper and lower elements 23 and 24 and therefore both of the elements 23 are wholly supported by the elements 24 at this time p 1 and consequently the. door or other member is supported by the elements 24. It willbe seen that the projection 21 fitting in the semi-spherical portion 28 of the recess 26 accurately aligns the element 23 on the axis of rotation A'-A. It willv further be seen that the element 23, when in a raised position as shown in Fig. 5, is in working contact with the abutment 38. By reason of this construction the hinge elements, when the latch is in latching position, will .be retained in proper working position so that the element 23 is free to rotate but cannot move in any other plane. This results in a structure'which is non-sagging and which is highly. desirableif not'necessary'ina latch 50 comprises a lever mounted in the chamber 39 ona. transverse pin 53, and a spring 53' is provided in each chamber 39 to urge the latch 50 toward the hinge element.24. To release the latches 50 on either side of the door, I provide a. pair of latch releasing bars 54, each of which extends vertically behind a side bar 34 and is supported so as tohave a limited vertical sliding movement. Each bar 54 has a ,pair of openings 55 therein, each of these openings receiving a lug 56 which projects rearward from a latch 50, whereby upward movement of .the bar 54 will move the pair of latches 50 into retracted position such as shown in Fig. 4. To lift the bar 54, I provide at the upper end or each bar 34 a manually engage-' able-member 51 comprising a rounded body supported by means of a hinge 58 at the upper end of the associated block'31a in a'position to cover a bellcrank-59' which is secured atthe upper end of the associated bar 34 bymeans of1a :pin 60.

[Onearm SI of the bell crank-59 is ina position to be moved by the member 51, and the other. arm

- 52 f the bell crank projects into'an opening. 63 in the upperend of the bar 54; 1

When the refrigerator door is closed, the operating members 51 on each side of the door will be in the' sition thereof indicated in Fig. 5. Should it now be desired to open the'door, the member 51 on the selected side of the door will be depressed into a position such as shown in Fig. 4, the anti-clockwise rotation of the bell crank 59 resulting in the lifting of the bar 54 and the rotation of the latches 50 into retracted position so that the associated hinge elements 24 will be free to rotate from the position thereof shown in Fig. 5 to the position thereof shown in Fig. 4.

The compressed sealing member 52 will exert a force tending'to move'the door outward, but in addition tothis, :auxiliarymeans may be employed, such as a spring mounted plunger 10 cartied in the center of the frame 25, as shown in Fig. 1.

when the dooris partly opened, thejhinge elements by which the door is supported can not be releas'eds'o as to cause'the door to fall from 'operative position relative to the frame 25. The

construction of this auxiliary locking means will be clearly: understood'from Figs. 6 and ,7. As shown in Fig. 6, the corner or shoulder 41 of the swingable hinge element 23 is parallel to the shoulder 48""o'f the hinge element: 24, when the I hinge elements 23 and-24 are in cooperative en- 2| be rotated from the closed position thereof .in

Fig. 6'toward the position as shown in Fig. 7, the "shoulder 41 of the swinging element 23. will be moved from 3 parallel relation-to the shoulder 48' toan angular relation so that the side portion -1l of the element 23 will swing in anti' 'clockwise direction from its position of Fig. 6 into overgag'ement, as shown'in Fig. 5. Should the door lapping relation to the outer end 45 of the upper race of the bodyportion 4| thereby positively, preventing retraction'of the hinge element 23 out of, 'theposition in which it'is shownin Fig. 5.

Thisautomatic locking action comes into effect when the'door 2l'is opened at a small angle and o continues in effect throughout the time the .door is opened. For example, as shownin Fig. 7, the rear end face 45'issubstantially covered by the end 12 of the element 23 :when thedoor 2| is .in

hinge means at the sides of the door areoperatedby individual'members 51 whichmay be selectively depressed. The latches, however, may

be actuated by. use 'ofahandleLor handles, se-

' cured on the door. Accordingly, in Figs. 8. and 9,

I have shown a door 2!, havinghinge. means 22 at the sides thereof made substantially in accordancewith the disclosure of Figs. 1 to 7,

. and difiering therefrom onlyin the provision of This plunger will exert a force sufficient I to move the door into open position should the openings 15 in the intermediate bar sections 39,

and the mounting of lugs 19 on the latch releasing bars 54 in positions to lie in the upper portions of the openings 15. The door 21' has a laterally extending bar ll with cams 19 at the ends thereof to selectively engage and lift the lugs 16 when the bar 11 is shifted laterally. To shift the bar 1! I provide a lever 79 which projects into the door 2l'- from a pivot 00, and engages an opening 9| in the bar. Handles L and R are connected to the lever 19 in laterally extending position. When the handle R is pulled outward away from the face of the door 2|, the bar T! will be shifted in rightward direction by the lever 19, and the cam 18 at the right end of the bar ll will lift thelug 16 of the right hand hinge means 22, raising the latch releasing bar 54 associated therewith so as to release the right hand hinge means so that the pull on the handle arm will then accomplish an outward swinging of the right side of the door 2| around the left hand hinge means 22. An outward pull on the handle L will accomplish an opening of the left side of the door 2| on the right hand hinge means 22. a

In Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, I have shown a form of the invention wherein the load of the door is supported on cooperating hinge elements 23 and 24 which interengage in a manner to provide both thrust and radial bearings. For example, when the hinge elements 23 and 24 are in complete engagement, as shown in Fig. 5, a portion of the downward thrust of the hinge element 23 will be supported on the upper end face of the projection 21, and the radial force due to the eccentric position of the door relative to the hinge will be transmitted from the hinge element 23 to the side portions of the projection 21. This feature of supporting the load of the door solely on the inter-engaging hinge elements is also present in the form of the invention shown in the Figs. to 15, inclusive. In Fig. 10 I show a structure 80 having a door frame -9| to which a door 82 is secured by right hand and left hand hinge means 83a and 93b. Each of these hinge means include hinge butts 89 having outwardlyprojecting and vertically spaced lugs 85 which; as best shown in Fig. 11, are provided with depressions or sockets 86, preferably semispherical in form. As shown in Fig. 14, angle p1ates88 are secured to the edge portions of the door 82 by means such asscrews 81, there being four of these angle plates 98 in positions directly opposite the butts 94. The ends of the angle plates are rolled to form vertically disposedtubes 89 which are of such lengths that when the door 82 is closed each of the tubes 89 will rest between 'inner ends of these pins 90 being connected to the outer ends of toggle links 9| which are positioned centrally within the tubes 09. The inner ends of each pair of toggle links are pivotally connected to the outer end of a horizontal bar 92, which is mounted for horizontal sliding movement in openings 93, formed in the edges of the door 82. The inner end of each bar 92 is pivotally connected through a link 94 with the outer end [of a fulcrumed bar- 91. Expansive springs 96 are placed around the links 99 in such position that they will urge the bars 92 outward so as to straighten the toggle links 9| associated with each bar 92. The levers 91 are mounted on centrally disposed pivots 98 and the slotted inner ends of each pair of levers 91 make connection with a pin 99 which projects from the inner end of a plate I09. There are two of these plates I00, one each being mounted for horizontal sliding movement within an intermediate edge portion of the door 92. The end of each plate I00 opposite. its pin 99 is slidable within a keeper IN, and the central portion of each plate I00 is offset forward, and in this forwardly offset portion is provided a slot 102 which will receive a projection I09 which extends inward from a rod I slidably disposed in'a block I03. .Each block I09 supports an operating lever or handle I01 on a whereby the thrust and radial loads from the door will be transmitted directly from the hinge elements represented by the pins 90 to the hinge elements represented by the lugs 95. When itis desired to-open the door 92 from either side, the corresponding handle I 01 is pulled outward.

This will transmit movement through the corresponding plate I00 to a pair of fulcrumed levers 91, swinging these levers in a direction to pull the bars 92 in against the expansive force of the springs 96, thereby swinging the associated toggle links 9| into angular or retracted positions to withdraw the pins along one side of the door, from engagement with the cooperating sockets l l I, thereby permitting disengagement of the cooperating hinge elements at the desired side of the door so that such side of the door may be swung outward.

A notch I is formed in each bar or plunger 92 near its outer end which may receive the end of a detent spring I22 which projects through an opening I29, such spring being secured to the angle plate 90 by means of a screw l2... When a pair of the bars 92 are moved into retracted position by the operation of the associated operating handle [01, the detents I22 associated therewith will engage the notches l2| of the bars 92 for the purposeof holding the pins 90 in partially retracted position during the time the associated side of the door is open. It is foundthat whenthe door is.closed, the slight shock resulting from thecontact of the roundedend of the pintle plns=90 with the lugs 95 of the hinge butt 84 is sumcient to disengage the spring detents I22 from the notches I21, so that the springs 99 will straighten the toggle links 9| and seat the associated pins 90 in the sockets 06.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a disconnectible hinge structure of the character described, the combination of coop erating hinge elements relatively movable on a transverse plane to the hinge axis into cooperating position on a hinge axis, one of said hinge elements having a projection and the other having a recess to receive said projection; means operating as said elements move into said coop- I era-ting position to move the same relatively together in the direction of said hinge axis. whereby said projection will enter said recess to form a pivoting coengagement of said elements so that they may have relative swin ing movement on said hinge axis; and automatic means operating in consequence of said relative swinging operating radial and thrust bearing faces which movement of ,said elements tion insaid-recess.v I 2. In a disconnectiblehinge structure of the character described, the combination of:,.cooperating hinge elements relatively movable on a transverse plane to the hinge axis into cooperating position ona hinge axis, one of saidhinge elements having aprojection and theother havto hold said projecing a recess to receive said projection; means operating as said elements move into said cooperating position to move the same relatively together in the direction of said hinge axis whereby said projection will enter said recess to form a pivoting coengagement of said elementsso that they may have relative swinging movement on said hinge axis; a latch to hold said elements together so as to maintain said. projection and said recess in coengagement; ,means for releas-v ing said latch; and automatic means operating in consequence of. said relativeswinging movement of said elements to hold said projection in. saidrecess. I

3 In adisconnectible I character'described, the combination of, a pair of cooperating hingeelem'ents relatively movable on a transverse plane, tofthe hinge axis into structure of I the cooperating position on a hinge axis and being movable when said cooperating position relatively toward each other into coengagement, said, elements having radial and thrustbearing relative angular displacementfof s'aid elements fromtheir initial position of cooperation to} hold said radial and thrust bearing faces in saidcoengagement independently of saidlatch.

4. In a disconnectible hinge structure 'of the .30 faces cooperating when said elements are .in-

character described the combination of: a pair I of cooperating hinge elements relatively movable on a transverse plane to the hinge axis into cooperating position on a hinge axisandbeing movable when in said cooperating position 'relar tively toward each other into coengagement, said elements having radial and thrust bearing faces cooperating when said elements are in said coengagement to support the load transmitted between said hinge elements; means operating in consequence of the movementof said elements into said cooperating position to move said elements into said coengagement; a latch to hold said elements in said coengagement; means fonreleasing said latch; and means operating automatically in consequence of the relative angular displacement of said'elements from their initial position of'cooperation to hold said radial and thrust bearing faces in said coengagement independently of said latch. t

5. In a disconnectible hinge structure of the character described, the combination of supporting means relatively movable in a plane transverse to a hinge axis; a pair of cooperating hinge elements mounted respectively on said supporting means so as to be carriedby the relative movement of said supporting means into cooperating position on said hinge axis, one of said hinge elements being rockably mounted on its support and being swingable from an angular position to an aligned position relative to the other of said hinge elements when said hinge elements are in said cooperating position, said elements having co said door and frame parts are in closed relation;

operating when said supporting means are relatively swung onsaid hinge axis from their position of initial en agement to hold said ,rockably mounted element in engagement with the other of said hinge elements.

6. In a,disconnectible hinge structure of the character, described, thecombination of: asupport havingan abutment an d amovable part spacedfrom said abutment; a bQd adapted-to be movedinto the space between said abutment and said movable part, said body havingahingeforming means of interengagement with said movablepart; means for moving said movable part. into engagement with said body. and to force said body against said abutment; latch meansjf for holding said movablepart insaid engagement withsaid body; and-means operating in response to the swinging of said body from an initial position of cooperation with said abutment to hold said movable partin said engagement with said body.

In.a.doorlatehing andhingingineans for connectingra door part toa frame part,- the com-. I

bination of: -.a memberprojectingfrom one of said partssoas to lie on a hingeaxis when'fsaid doorandframe parts are in closed relation; a'

lever connected to theother of said parts so as to sivingrfrom a position substantially parallel I to said hinge axis to a position 't-slopingv outward from said hingeaxis, said lever ,having'means at its upper; end making interengagement with said projecting member when it'is -in {said position substantially parallel to .said hinge axis whereby to supportthe static: load transmitted from one of'said parts to the other of said partsuandto form a hinge on which said'parts may have rela: tive swinging movement; releasable meansto; hold said lever in said position substantially parallel to said hinge axis; and auxiliary means operating' in consequence of swinging of said doorand frame parts relatively :around said hinge axis to hold said projecting member'on said hinge axis independently ofthe action of saidlever, v

'8. In a door latching and hinging means for connecting a door part and a frame part, the combination of a member projecting from one of said parts so as to lie on a'hinge axis when an abutment on the other of said parts disposed above said projecting member when it is on said a hinge axis; a lever pivotally connected tousaid other of said parts so that its upper end will swing, in engagement with said projecting member, from an angular position relative to said hinge axis to a position parallel to said hinge axis, as said projecting member is moved into position on said hinge axis, said lever being so formed as to make hinging interengagement with said projecting member'when said projecting mem her is on said hinge axis and to force said projecting member toward said abutment; and aux- 9. In a disconnectible hinge structure of the character described, the combination of z a first hinge element having an abutment disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis of the hinge structure and a movable part character described the combination a first hinge element having an abutment disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis oi the hinge-structure and a movable part spaced from but movable toward said abutment; a second hinge element having a body adapted to be moved into said space; means for moving said movable part into engagement with said body and to hold said body against said abutment; and hinge-forming means on said body and said first hinge element, said hinge-forming means cooperating when'said body is engaged by said movable'part to permit relative swinging movement of said hinge elements on said hinge axis.

. 11. In a latching and hinging means for connecting relatively movable parts, the combinatlon of: a body on one of said parts adapted to lie on a hinge axis when said parts are in connected relation; a relatively stationary abutment on the other oi said parts disposed above said body when it is on said hinge axis; a lever pivota ily connected to said other 01' said parts so that its upper end will swing in engagement with said body, from an angular position relative to said l se axis to a position substantially parallel to said hinge axis as said body is moved into position on said hinge axis, said lever being so formed as to make hinging interengagement with said body when said body is on said hinge axis and to hold said body in pressural engagement with said abutment; and means for holding said lever in said last-named position.

12. In a latching and hinging means for connecting relatively movable parts, the combination of: a body on one of said parts adapted to lie on a hinge axis when said parts are in connected relation; a relatively stationary abutment on the other of said partsdisposed above said body when it is on said hinge axis; a lever pivotally connected to said other oLsaid parts so that its upper end will swing in engagement with said body, from an angular position relative to said hinge axis to ,a position substantially parallel to said hinge axis as said body is moved into position on said hinge axis, said lever being so formed as to'make hinting interenaasement with said body whensaid bodyisonsaid hinge axis and during the movement oi" said lever into said last named position to engagesaid body and raise same into contact. with said abutment and to hold said body in pressural engagement with said abutment; and means for holding said lever in said last-named position.

13. In latching and hinging means for connecting relatively movable parts, the combination 0!: a body on one of said'parts adapted to lie on a hinge axis when said parts are in connected relation; a lever pivotally. connected to said other of said parts so that its upper end will swing in engagement with said body, from an angular position relative to said hinge axis to a position substantiallyfparallel to said hinge axis as said body is moved into position on said hlnge'axis, saidlever being so formed as to make hinging interengasem'ent with said body when said body is on said hinge'axis, saidhinging engagement being made onone side or the pivot 01 said lever, and said lever also having body engagement means on the opposite side of said pivot, whereby there is supporting engagement between said body and lever, on opposite sides of said pivot.

14. In a disconnectible hingestructure for latching or hinging relatively movable parts, the combination of: a pair of hinge elements adapted to lie on a hinge axis when said parts are in connected relation, one oi said hinge elements being said other hinge element to form a hinge means whereby said hinge elements are relatively hingeable on said hinge axis.

ROBERT DOW. 

